Texas Man Arrested for Threatening Abilene Pride Parade Retaliation for Charlie Kirk

Joshua Cole, a Texas man, was arrested and charged federally after threatening to shoot participants at the Abilene Pride Parade in retaliation for the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Cole posted violent messages on Facebook, including calls to "lock and load" and "go hunting fairies," explicitly targeting the parade scheduled shortly after Kirk's death. Though Cole admitted to owning a firearm and making the threatening posts under a pseudonym, he denied intent to carry out the threats. Law enforcement officials, including the FBI and local police, acted swiftly, arresting Cole before the event, which proceeded without incident. Authorities and community leaders emphasized their commitment to ensuring the safety and inclusivity of the Pride event. The case is ongoing under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Northern District of Texas.